Yaquina Bay Subtidal Bay Clam Assessment

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is issuing an Intermediate Procurement for a boat and dive team to conduct subtidal surveys of baby clams and habitats in Yaquina Bay near Newport, Oregon. The contract requires a minimum of two divers, one boat operator, and one dive tender/safety diver for each operational day, working to collect seafloor samples and assess habitats at depths between 1 and 20 meters. The work will occur between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026, with an estimated 12 to 16 boat/dive days, each approximately 10-12 hours long. Contractor responsibilities include providing all necessary equipment, SCUBA gear, vessel operation, and maintenance, with operations departing from and returning to the Port of Newport. Evaluation criteria will assess vessel master and project team qualifications (35 points), project approach and vessel information (30 points), references (15 points), and price (20 points). Key procurement dates include a question deadline of December 2, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with proposals due on December 11, 2025, at 3:00 PM, and an anticipated Notice of Award on December 16, 2025.

The procurement does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contractor must provide proof of Marine Protection and Indemnity insurance with combined single limits of at least $2,100,000 per occurrence, Workers' Compensation insurance, and Commercial General Liability insurance of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. Contractors must demonstrate compliance with OSHA guidelines for commercial diving operations and hold a current Master Operator's License and First Aid Certification. Pricing will be submitted on a per-day basis, with the proposed price including all costs for fuel, equipment, labor, and vessel operation. Penalties of $500 per day will be assessed for equipment repair delays or failure to replace operators or divers within 48 hours. The contract term is one year with potential options to renew, and all work samples and deliverables will become the exclusive property of ODFW. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the procurement anticipates 12 to 16 dive days, which will factor into the overall contract value.